Sat Feb 10 02:00:00 EAT 2018

Okello holds the key - Mutebi

By Dennis Bbosa

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Without injured midfielder Muzamir Mutyaba, KCCA manager Mike Mutebi has vested belief in youthful playmaker Allan Okello to provide the creative spark.Okello was thrown in at the deep end in continental engagements last year and although he showed shades of potential, he didn’t live up to the billing.“The young players like Okello, Julius Poloto, Mustapha Kizza and Lawrence Bukenya were not the first among equals last campaign but now they have grown to take on the mantle,” Mutebi said.He was thrilled by the manner in which Okello marshalled the midfield against Police in their last trial match and the two goals he netted as KCCA swept aside the Cops 4-1 at Lugogo.“Okello is the best creative player in the league and he is going to help us play our way in Madagascar,“The good thing our opponents want to play and we shall take the game to them,” Mutebi added.Okello is equally optimistic; “The coach has shown me trust and I hope to score in that match against CNaPS.”Okello is set to sit at the apex of a three-man midfield that has the experienced duo of Isaac Kirabira and Sadam Juma.The hosts are leading the league back home and embrace the ‘French-playing’ philosophy that Mutebi said he is prepared to encounter.The tactician hates it when pundits argue that he has a weaker side compared to the one he had last season.To Mutebi, this side has more potential to walk into the lucrative Caf Champions League groups than the one inspired by Geoffrey Sserunkuma. That journey starts this afternoon in Madagascar when the reigning league kings take on CNaPS at the Mahamasina Municipal Stadium.Mutebi’s side eliminated Angola’s Primero de Agosto in the same round last season before falling to then reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns, which defeat saw them drop to the Caf Confederation Cup.